Like 2025, the doomy specter of death has come for a new helping of auto industry souls that won’t live to become 2026 models. Across the industry landscape, automakers like Audi, Cadillac, INFINITI, and even Porsche are shelving new cars, SUVs, and EVs to make room for the new generation of vehicles.

While we’ll miss some more than others, you won’t see these vehicles as 2026 models at your local dealerships. 

Next year will look quite different, especially for these new cars that won’t survive into the new model year

The 2025 model year spelled the end for some heavy-hitters and favorites. The Chevrolet Camaro, Nissan GT-R, INFINITI Q50, and every production Jaguar bit the dust. 2026 is no different, marking the end of the Acura TLX, Chevrolet Malibu, and Porsche 718 sports cars, to name a few. 

2026 will mark the end of many new cars, from sensible sedans to luxury cars and wagons

This year, the Bow Tie dropped the industry guillotine on the long-running Chevrolet Malibu. Given last year’s discontinuation of the Camaro, that leaves Chevrolet with an SUV-only lineup completely free of sedans and coupes.

But the Malibu isn’t the only sensible, relatively affordable sedan to get the ax before the 2026 model year; the Subaru Legacy suffers a similar fate. Subaru says slowed interest in sedans drove the decision. And a look at the newly-redesigned Outback and its midsize SUV posture removes all remaining doubt.

On the more luxurious side of things, the Acura TLX bows out. The discontinuation leaves the Integra as the sole luxury car in an otherwise SUV-dominated Acura lineup as it enters its fourth model year. The Audi A4 and its aggressive wagon sibling, the Audi A4 Allroad, also drive off into the sunset. Instead, the German luxury automaker is reducing things to the A5 liftback sedan, leaving no room for the A4.

Unfortunately, the 2025 model year was the end of the road for the Lexus RC Coupe. While we’ll miss the two-door Lexus coupe in the lineup of new cars for 2026, we’ll miss the sound and fury of the 472-horsepower, 5.0L V8-powered RC F that much more.

Volvo thins out its luxury sedan lineup as well. Specifically, the Volvo S60 and Volvo S90 leave production before getting a chance to become 2026 models. Like other sedans, the S60 and S90 couldn’t survive the diminishing interest of American buyers. 

A couple of EVs and luxury SUVs are on the chopping block, too

Even with the popularity of SUVs in the United States, the American market sheds many hiked-up nameplates before the new model year. The BMW X4 and Cadillac XT4 exit production, as does the larger Cadillac XT6.

Nissan’s luxury division draws the curtains on the INFINITI QX50 and the INFINITI QX55 before they could join the other new cars heading into the 2026 model year. INFINITI is shifting focus to its larger, three-row offerings, namely the QX60. Unfortunately, that leaves little space for the QX50 and its sportier, fastbacked sibling. 

The Kia Telluride and Jeep Wagoneer both head for the great discontinuation station in the sky after the 2025 model year. But for two very different reasons. The Telluride gets the snooze button treatment, with a planned replacement on the way for 2027. Wagoneer, on the other hand, simply makes way for the Grand Wagoneer to be the sole moniker of Jeep’s big-bodied luxury SUV offerings. 

The EV market is shedding a few names before the 2026 model year, too. The Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQB leave production, with seemingly no automaker plans to revive or replace them.

The Polestar 2 also meets its demise after 2025, though it doesn’t spell the end for the Volvo and Geely-owned EV brand. Instead, the Polestar 3 and 4 will keep the brand on sale in the US for the new year. 

Now, we might not miss the anemic Kia Soul as much as we will other models. But for the model’s faithful, the 2026 model year will be Soul-less. Maybe the dancing hamster crowd will embrace the Kia Niro and Seltos as the Soul heads out of production.

Two beloved sports cars have to die before they can return

We’ll freely admit that we’re going to miss the Porsche 718 Boxster and its rigid, hardtop stablemate, the 718 Cayman. It spells the end for Porsche’s mid-engine offerings. At least, temporarily. Fortunately, replacements are in the works, including gas-powered options.

1. Acura TLX
2. Audi A4
3. Audi A4 Allroad
4. Audi Q8 e-tron
5. BMW X4
6. Cadillac XT4
7. Cadillac XT6
8. Chevrolet Malibu
9. INFINITI QX50
10. INFINITI QX55
11. Jeep Wagoneer
12. Kia Soul
13. Lexus RC Coupe
14. Mercedes-Benz EQB
15. Polestar 2
16. Porsche 718 Boxster, Cayman
17. Subaru Legacy
18. Volvo S60
19. Volvo S90